Xavier vs. Seton Hall prediction: How we’re planning to bet this Big East matchup

Xavier’s Adam Kunkel goes up for a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Villanova, Pa. AP

The Big East takes center stage this Friday night as the Xavier Musketeers take on the Seton Hall Pirates and we have an Xavier vs. Seton Hall prediction. This will be the second meeting this season, and if it’s anything like the first one, we should have an exciting game ahead of us.

Xavier has risen through the ranks by excelling in conference play, but they have stumbled a bit of late, losing two of their past three games. Looking at the Pirates, they have struggled to play up to superior competition, as they have just two upsets all year.

Could they have another one brewing? Let’s dive in to find out and uncover the best bet for this matchup.

Xavier vs. Seton Hall prediction + analysis Pick: Xavier ML -125 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Musketeers run an up-tempo offense that involves a great deal of ball movement to create high-percentage looks. Against Seton Hall, keep your eyes on the big men Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle.

Both Nunge and Freemantle will be able to impose their size on the Pirates around the rim. It also helps that they should clean up many misses and convert second-chance opportunities, as Seton Hall is 260th in defensive rebounding rate.

One other play to watch is Souley Boum. The Musketeers senior guard is the team’s leading scorer and the one threat they have from the perimeter.He was held relatively quiet in the first meeting, but if he gets hot from deep, the Musketeers may have some extended runs.

On the other end of the court, shooting has been an issue for the Pirates. They come into this matchup 275th in effective field goal percentage.

While that is not a ranking that inspires much confidence, they have a once-clear avenue to offensive success against Xavier. They need to stretch the floor and make shots from beyond the arc.

The Musketeers are 306th in the 3-point percentage allowed, and the Pirates must adapt their attack to capitalize in this matchup.

If Al-Amir Dawes and Kadary Richmond can sink a few from long range, it could open up driving opportunities and creates chances at the stripe, which Seton Hall has relied on a ton this season.

In the end, Xavier has a much more reliable path to victory in this game. Their big men will control the paint on both ends, and if their backcourt can contest the Pirates’ perimeter shots, they may even pull away.

So back the Musketeers to get the job done on the road Friday night.

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